Born in 1913, Bernice Mitchell was a resident of Burnside, Kentucky. Originally located on the Cumberland River, Burnside was known for its lumber industry and was a center for railroad and steamboat shipping. The town was relocated in 1952 with the construction of the Wolf Creek Dam and the creation of Lake Cumberland. The town's original location is now buried under water. During WWII, Mitchell devoted much of her personal time to corresponding with servicemen from Pulaski County. She encouraged her community to rigorously support their "boys" abroad and to commit to writing weekly letters to at least one service member, even if they were not related to or acquainted with the individual. She challenged, "My neighbor's sons deserve every bit of encouragement I can give them and certainly their worth is far too great to compare to my time and money. What about your neighbor's son?" Later, in the 1970's after Burnside had been relocated, Bernice helped her friend, Kentucky writer Harriet Simpson Arnow, compile accounts and information about their hometown. Arnow's Old Burnside, published in 1977, is homage to growing up in the small Kentucky town.
From the description of Bernice Mitchell papers, 1941-1988. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 180772025
From the description of Bernice Mitchell added papers, 1941-1997. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 422637972
